tirerack.com
What TireRack.com Is and What It Does
TireRack.com is one of the most widely known online destinations for buying tires, wheels, and automotive accessories. The company operates a large e-commerce platform where you can search thousands of tire and wheel products by your specific vehicle and find parts that fit. It isn’t just a store — Tire Rack also publishes extensive tire test results and customer reviews to help shoppers decide what’s right for their vehicle and driving conditions.
Founded in 1979 and based in South Bend, Indiana, Tire Rack started as a mail-order business and has grown into a major consumer-direct retailer and distributor of tires, wheels, and related accessories. It also conducts its own tire testing and publishes results so customers can compare performance in areas like wet and dry traction, ride comfort, handling, and longevity before they buy.
On the site you’ll find major tire brands like Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Continental, BFGoodrich, and many others, covering everything from everyday touring tires to performance, off-road, and winter options. You can also shop wheels, tire storage products, tools, and other automotive accessories.
How Shopping on TireRack.com Works
The core of the Tire Rack experience is searching for products that are correct for your vehicle. When you start shopping, you typically enter your car’s make, model, and year so the site can filter out parts that won’t fit. That saves time and reduces the risk of ordering something that’s incompatible.
Once you’ve chosen tires or wheels, you can view detailed information about each product, including technical specs and both expert and customer reviews. Tire Rack compiles a lot of real user feedback alongside its own test data, so you see both perspectives.
After purchasing, you have a couple of options for getting the products installed. You can have tires shipped to your home or directly to a local installer. The company works with a large network of partner shops, so many customers choose to have their tires delivered right to a shop that will mount, balance, and install them for you.
Pricing, Selection, and Deals
Prices on TireRack.com tend to be competitive with other tire retailers, including national chains and warehouse clubs. In many cases, you’ll see prices similar to or a bit better than places like Sam’s Club, BJ’s, or Costco, especially when there are sales or closeout deals listed. Free standard shipping is often included with tire purchases.
The upside of online shopping here is the breadth of choice. Because it’s an online platform, Tire Rack can offer a very large inventory in one place. That can be helpful if you’re looking for specialty sizes or performance tires that aren’t always in stock at a local shop.
It’s also common to find tire-and-wheel packages — sets that include both tires and matching wheels designed for your vehicle — sometimes at a better overall value than buying them separately.
Customer Service and Reputation
Overall, many customers report positive experiences with Tire Rack. Reviews on sites like Trustpilot show buyers praising the ease of ordering, free shipping, and the ability to have tires sent to a local installer. Many mention that the website’s fitment tools and reviews helped them make confident choices.
However — and this is important — not all reviews are glowing. Some customers on other forums and review sites have raised concerns about customer service, shipping delays, warranty claims, and the logistics of installation. Complaints often focus on specific issues like parts arriving late, challenges with balancing or mounting, or difficulties navigating service and support after the sale.
This mix of experiences isn’t unusual for a high-volume online retailer that partners with many different installers and third-party services. What it does highlight is that your own experience can vary based on timing, product type, and installer performance.
Pros of Using TireRack.com
- Large Selection: Thousands of tires and wheels from top brands.
- Detailed Info: Extensive expert tests and user reviews.
- Fitment Tools: Search by vehicle to avoid buying incompatible parts.
- Convenience: Free shipping and installer delivery.
- Deals and Packages: Closeouts and bundled tire-and-wheel sets.
Cons and Considerations
- Installation Costs: You may pay separately for mounting and balancing, which varies by installer.
- Variable Support: Customer service and warranty experiences differ among users.
- Shipping Delays: Some customers have noted longer shipping times or logistical issues from time to time.
Who TireRack.com Is Best For
TireRack.com suits drivers who know what they need or are willing to look at detailed specs and reviews before buying. It’s useful if you want access to a broad range of brands and sizes, and if you appreciate doing research before purchase. The site’s fitment tools also make it easier to avoid ordering the wrong product.
If you prefer hands-on service with a local shop or want bundled installation included in the purchase price, you might weigh Tire Rack’s online convenience against local retailers’ offerings before committing.
Key Takeaways
- TireRack.com is a large online retailer specializing in tires, wheels, and automotive accessories.
- The site offers extensive product data, expert tests, and customer reviews to guide purchases.
- You can have tires shipped to your home or directly to a local installer.
- Pricing tends to be competitive, and free shipping is often included.
- Customer experiences vary, with many positive reviews but some reporting service and logistics challenges.
FAQ
Is TireRack.com a legitimate site?
Yes. Tire Rack is a well-established tire retailer and reviewer, operating since 1979 and widely used by drivers in the U.S. and Canada.
Can I get my tires installed through Tire Rack?
Yes. You can have tires shipped directly to a partner installer for mounting and balancing, though installation fees are separate.
Are prices on Tire Rack cheaper than local stores?
Often they’re competitive and sometimes lower, particularly with promotions and closeouts, but installation costs at local shops should be factored in.
What brands does Tire Rack sell?
They carry many major brands including Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Continental, Pirelli, and more.
Do they offer customer reviews and tire tests?
Yes, Tire Rack publishes both professional test results and customer reviews to help buyers compare products.
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